November, 2011

News Letter – November, 2011

Jhinkpani

On Sunday, 02nd October, 2011, parishioners of St. Teresa's Church, Jhinkpani, celebrated the Parish Feast and Nawakhani… Rev. Fr. Gregory D'Silva, SJ, was the main celebrant of the concelebrated Holy Eucharist. He preached a beautiful sermon in Ho Frs. David, Sijo and Bro. Jijo too joined for the celebration. After the Holy Mass, Rev. Fr. David blessed the newly built Classrooms of the School. Soon after all the religious ceremonies there was a sports competition for the parishioners. After the games and competitions the festal meal was served. All enjoyed the fellowship meal.

Anandpur

On Sunday, 02nd October, 2011, St. Joseph's Parish, Anadpur, honoured the senior citizens of the Parish and celebrated the day as Senior Citizens' Day. The celebration began with the Holy Eucharist. The youth of the Parish welcomed and brought them in to the Church with dance. After the Holy Mass there was a sharing session. Men and women of age and wisdom shared their experiences and vision. Rev. Fr. Raphael Monteiro, who guided the session, exhorted the senior citizen to live gracefully their old age and also gave some tips to face the challenges of the old age.

Conscience Building Seminar: Rev. Fr. John Crasta conducted a conscience building seminar for the Parishioners. The purpose of the seminar was to form a correct and just moral conscience in the everyday life of the people. The participants of the seminar were youth and married couples. The response from the people was good and encouraging.

Kutkudungri

On Sunday, October 02nd the Capuchin Fathers along with parishioners of the St. Anthony's Parish celebrated the Feast of St. Francis Assisi. Rev. Fr. Jottin Jose, OP, was the main celebrant of the concelebrated holy Eucharist. The parishioners staged a cultural programme. After the cultural programme all gathered together for a common meal and shared the festal joy.

Krus Vir Rally

Chibasa: The Krus Vir Rally was held from 01st to 03rd October, 2011, at St. Xavier's Parish Chaibasa. Children from far out village Parishes arrived before noon. Fr. Edwin Coelho welcomed them at their arrival. The registration began at 2pm, followed by inauguration of the Rally. Fr. Edwin Coelho inaugurated the Rally by unfurling the Krus Vir Flag and gave a short message on the Rally theme: “Jesus Our Good Shepherd”. Along with Deanery & local Coordinators of Krus Vir, Rev. Fr. Leo D'Souza, the Diocesan Director of Krus Vir too was present for the Inauguration. After the inauguration, all gathered for Rosary and Adoration of Blessed Sacrament. After the supper different units staged various cultural programmes. On the second and third day the children were busy in participating various competitions like Speech Competition, Bible Quiz, One Act Play, Singing Competition (both solo and group) and spiritual input sections. This time the participation was good. There were 901 Krus Virs, 44 Animators, 7 Sisters, 5 Priests and 4 Brothers who took part in the Rally and made the Rally a successful one. Finally, a word of thanks to the main organisers of the Rally, Sr. Nirmala DSA and Sr. Michael, OSU. (Fr. Edwin Coelho)

Jamshedpur: The Jamshedpur Denery Krus Vir Rally was held at Loyola School, Sonari, on 01st and 02nd October, 2011. There were a total of 252 children who took part in the Rally. Keeping in mind the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese and the special thrust of the Jubilee year, the Rally too kept the theme “Towards the Fullness of Life”. Based on the theme various competitions and input sessions were organised. The Rally was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Augustine Eazhakunnel, SJ, the Rector of Loyola School. He hoisted the Krus Vir Flag and gave the inaugural address. Rev. Fr. Simplicius Khess, OP, welcomed the participants to the programme. Rev. Fr. Oscar Beck, Director of Pratheksha Propaedeutic Seminary, took up the input session, explaining to the Krus Virs, what should be the life style of a Krus Vir in the light of the theme. The rally came to end by lunch. Some members of the Youth too helped out in the whole programme.

Dhanbad

On the first week of October, the youth of Dhanbad Deanery came together at Dhanbad Parish to officially call off the Year of Youth at the Deanery level. Youth from all the Parishes of the Deanery were present for the programme and showed much enthusiasm. Thus the two day programme became very encouraging. Most Rev. Felix Toppo, SJ, was the main celebrant of the concelebrated Holy Eucharist, which marked the conclusion of the Year of Youth at Dhanbad Deanery.

Goilkera

With a two day seminar for the Youth of the Parish, Prabhu Marsal Parish, Goilkera, concluded the Year of the Youth at the Parish. Rev. Frs. Sanjay Kujur, CSsR, Bipin Barla, Sr. Marta Kandulna along with Rev. Fr. Michael Jojo, the Parish Priest, conducted the Seminar. Input sessions and discussions were conducted on themes related to different aspects of life. Some of the topics were: Who am I? How can I become a source of inspiration for others? The importance of Team Work and Cooperation etc… On the second day of the Seminar Rev. Fr. Vernon D'Souza too joined the team. Rev. Fr. Vernon was the main celebrant of the Holy Eucharist, which was specially arranged to mark the conclusion of the Year of Youth at the Parish and to thank God for the manifold graces which they have received during the past year. Various cultural programmes and sports events, including a football match (for different units of the parish) were conducted on this occasion. In spite of these tight programmes the youth found time to elect a new team of office bearers, who would guide them in the year ahead. We congratulate the Youth, Parish Priest and Youth Coordinator of the Parish for their initiatives and commitment.

Mosaboni

On Sunday, 09th October, 2011, 4 Sisters who belong to the Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph's of Apparition made their Final Profession, and committed their life completely to Christ and for His mission. Most Rev. Felix Toppo, S.J. was the main celebrant at the concelebrated Holy Eucharist, in which their parents, relatives and well-wishers were present. The ceremony began with introducing the Sisters by reading out their biodata. The well arranged liturgy and the melodious singing brought a heavenly atmosphere. After the Holy Eucharist there was a short felicitation programme and thereafter all gathered to enjoy the delicious meal which was prepared to share the joy. We congratulate the Sisters who made their Final Profession.

Rahargora

On 11th October, 2011, Holy family Church, Rahargora, substation of St. Robert's Church, Parsudih, honoured the senior citizens of the substation and celebrated the day as Senior Citizens' Day. The celebration began with the Holy Eucharist. The elders were welcomed in the traditional way and were led to the Church with great joy. Rev. Fr. Nicholas Kerketa, the Parish Priest of St. Robert's Church, was the main celebrant. This was the first official visit of the Parish Priest to the substation. Rev. Fr. Nicholas showed his love and affection towards the elders by presenting them with Rosaries.

Farewell

On the evening of Wednesday, 12^th  October, 2011, a special Eucharistic Celebration was arranged at Bishop’s House Community Chapel, in honour of Rev. Fr. David Vincent, who was the Diocesan Treasurer. Most Rev. Felix Toppo, SJ, was the main celebrant of the concelebrated Farewell Mass. Bishop and other Fathers who were present, thanked God for the gift of Rev. David Vincent, and him for selflessly working for the Diocese. And they also wished him cordial best wishes and Lord’s abundant blessing in the new area of work. On 13^th Morning, Fr. David moved out from Bishop’s House to St. Mary’s Bistupur.

St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Golmuri

On Sunday, 16^th October, 2011, St. Joseph’s Cathedral celebrated the NAWAKHANI festival. The whole parish gathered together for this feast. The celebration began with the Holy Eucharist, at 07.30 am. The parishioners welcomed the main celebrant, Most Rev. Felix Toppo, SJ, and other concelebrants with traditional dance and other customs. Rev. Fr. Joseph Surin, SJ, broke the Word of God and spoke about the significance of the festival. After the Holy Eucharist all joined for the breakfast and thereafter for the cultural programme. Various cultural items peculiar to different tribes were presented. After the cultural programme, with a common meal and common dance the celebrations came to an end.

Adra

Foundation stone for the new School Auditorium was laid on 28^th October, 2011. The day started with a Holy Eucharist for the Students. Most Rev. Felix Toppo, SJ,  was the main celebrant. Later at 11.00 am the students and teachers along with managing committee members and representatives of Parish Council gathered for a prayer service, which was lead by Most Rev. Felix Toppo, SJ. After the prayer Bishop blessed the proposed land for the Auditorium and completed the land breaking ceremony by breaking a coconut and by digging the plot. The teachers had beautified the place with special rengoli. The students of the school too were present for the same.

Earlier on 26^th October, 2011,the parishioners along with the students of the school celebrated the festival of light, DIWALI. The celebration began with the Hoy Eucharist, in which Rev. Fr. Sahay Thasan was the main celebrant. After the Holy Mass there was a short gathering and the sweets were distributed, which was sponsored by Ms. Jacky Lobo. The whole celebration was organised by the Parish Youth. 

Back Home for Holidays

In the month of October, there of our Priests came to Bishop's House to spend their holidays. The Fist one to arrive was Fr. Gyan Prakash Topno. As in the previous year this year too he had to be admitted in the hospital. This year he underwent a Laparoscopic Surgery. Fr. Raju Felix Crasta reached Bishop's House on 18th October from Pune. He came to relax a bit and to refresh himself. He left for Pune on 26th to further deal with various Philosophers. Fr. Joy Paul too has reached Bishop's House as part of his holiday programme. We are happy to see you all and wish you cordial best wishes and God's abundant blessings.

Diwali Celebrations

The youth of Jamshedpur Deanery came together to celebrate Diwali in a different way. A good number of Youth, almost from all the parishes of the deanery, gathered at. St. Mary's School, Bistupur on 27^th October, 2011. The gathering began at 02.00 pm. Rev. Fr. Camille Hembrom, the Dean of Jamshedpur Deanery, was the chief guest. The gathering began with a prayer service. Various competitions were conducted on the themes based on Bible. The special prayers with lighted candles in the evening brought much meaning and awareness.

Loyola School, Kumardhubi

The long awaited Elocution / Speech Contest was held on 24^th September, for classes from III to XII. Group Recitation of Poem for classes III & IV was introduced for the first time. Debate competition for the Plus II students was a must watch programme. For the SPEECH contest, Classes IX & X put up a neck to neck fight. Judges came from Adra, Mugma &Maithon.

School remained closed for Puja Vacation from 1^st Oct to 9^th Oct.  Soon after the holidays the 2^nd Terminal Examinations have started.

Our Principal, Rev. Fr. Edward Saldanha, was showered with good wishes on his birthday, which was on 21^st Sept. (Rita Sen)

From JDV Pune, Fr. Raju Felix Crasta writes:

Greetings…. As usual, month of October was filled with various academic activities. The month began with a Seminar by Prof. Luise David who came from the University of Manila, on the topic Political Philosophy of Hannah Arendt. This was followed by 'JDV-Sathyanilayam Inter-faculty Paper Presentation' on 3rd of October. Altogether nine scholarly papers on various philosophical issues were presented by the staff of both the faculties. Fr. Valerian Mendonca, SJ, of Jamshedpur province, presently the staff of Sathyanilayam, presented a paper on the current issues of Kandamal, a paper well appreciated by all. This was followed by my on class presentation on the courses we had previously. With this the first semester came to an end. We had fifteen days of break to begin the new session. I made a quick trip to Tata-Ranchi to fresh up my old memories. Some students had spiritual journeys, retreats and pilgrimages to Goa, Varanasi etc. Our second semester will begin on 28th of October.

Divya Bharati, Chaibasa

As part of the Diocesan Golden Jubilee Celebration, focusing on the Faith Renewal, a Training Programme for the Laity of Chaibasa Deanery was organized at Divya Bharati, from 26th to 28th October, 2011. This was done under the interest and leadership of Fr. Edwin Coelho, Dean of Chaibasa Deanery. Eighteen participants took part and benefited from it. The workshops dealt with topics such as: Faith Renewal, Methods of Prayer, the Role and Responsibility of Family and Laity in the Catholic Church, in the light of Post Vatican II. Frs Edwin Coelho, John Mundu and Bro. Bene Kichingia were the resource persons. (Fr. George Anthony)

October, 2011

NEWSLETTER – OCTOBER, 2011

Balarampur

St. Xavier’s School, Balarampur celebrated its First Annual Day on Saturday 3^rd September. Rev. Fr. C.R. Prabhu, the Vicar General of the Diocese, was the Chief Guest. A large number of parents and well-wishers attended this two hours colourful programme which was presented by the Primary School Children. We congratulate Fr. Cyprian Lobo, Sr. Jovita, the Headmistress of the School, and all others who worked tirelessly to stage this event. Congratulations!

Nativity Feast

The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady was celebrated solemnly in different parishes of the Diocese. At St. Mary’s Parish, Bistupur, which is well known for this Feast, Rev. Fr. Raphael Montero was the main celebrant for the solemn concelebrated Holy Eucharist. He had come from Anandpur Parish with his catechists (19 in numbers) to participate in this Feast. In spite of the rain faithful had gathered in great numbers. After the Holy Mass there was candlelight procession and thereafter all joined for the common.

Rev. Fr. Camille Hembrom, the Cathedral Parish Priest, was the main celebrant of the Festal Celebrations at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. The celebration began with the procession. After the holy Eucharist there was a fellowship meal too. Faithful had gathered in large numbers. There were celebrations at Mercy Chapel and at Gyandeep. Good number of faithful had gathered in these places too.

Sacred Heart Church, Adra, too had a wonderful celebration of the Feast. The procession started at 3 pm, from Bayabi to the Church. Rev. Fr. Vijay Bhatt was the main celebrant of the concelebrated Holy Eucharist. Most of the parishioners were present for the celebrations.

The feast of the Nativity of Our Lady was celebrated with traditional ghetto at St. Barbara Church, Mosaboni, with nine days of Novena and Mass. Different priests from Jamshedpur Diocese satisfied the spiritual quest of the people.

Other Parishes of the Diocese too celebrated the feast in its traditional ghetto. The novena and the celebration of the nativity feast were a time of spiritual renewal.

St. Mary’s English School, Bistupur

On the occasion of the Feast of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary, the patroness of the School, St. Mary’s School, Bistupur, arranged a gathering of friends and well-wishers of the school on Sunday 11^th September, 2011. A large number of Priests, Brothers, Sisters, Teachers and well wishes joined the celebration. And on 16^th evening a Eucharistic Celebration was organised for the Christian students and parents of the School. Most Rev. Felix Toppo, SJ, was the main celebrant of the concelebrated Mass. A large number of parents and students were present for the Holy Eucharist.

Please Note

Ø The meeting of the Jubilee Finance Committee will be held on Saturday, 08^th October at 06.00 pm, at Bishop’s House, Golmuri.

Ø A special Workshop on “RTE and Educational Problems/Issues” is being organised at Vikas Bharati, Sundernagar from 30^th October to 2^nd November. Fr. K.M. Joseph and his team from Patna, will be the resource persons. All principals, Vice Principals and Secretaries of Schools are requested to attend this workshop necessarily.

Chaibasa

St. Xavier’s Boys School was the venue for the Singhbhum Basket Ball Tournament. The final matches were played on 4^th Spetember, 2011.The Girls’ Team of Loyola School, Chaira, took away the trophy leaving the St. Xavier’s Girls of Chaibasa as runners up. The Little Flower School, Telco, boys defeated the St. Xavier’s Boys, Chaibasa by a mere 1 point. The District Education Officer, Mr. Arvind Bilung, the Principal of Mahila College, Mrs. Sudalen and Rev. Fr. C.R. Prabhu, the Vicar General, gave away the prizes.

St. Monica Day: The Feast of St. Monica was celebrated as “Mothers’ Day” in St. Xavier’s Parish, Chaibasa. The youth greeted and received the mothers at the entrance of the Church; the children brought them in to the Church with dance. The well arranged liturgy helped every one to pray well. After the Holy Mass there was an input session. The theme was “Mother’s role in the development of the child at teen-age”. The session was concluded with a group discussion. Rev. Fr. Anselem Dungdung, SJ, was the animator of the session. With an agape meal the Mothers’ Day celebration came to its close.

Krus Vir Day: The Feast of the Holy Cross was celebrated as “Krus Vir Day” in the Parish. The liturgy of the day was planned accordingly to maximise the participation of the children. During the liturgy many children were inducted into the Krus Vir with a well arranged ceremony. After the mass the children put up a small cultural programme for their parents.

Parish Youth Day: on 18^th September, 2011, St. Xavier’s Parish celebrated the “Parish Youth Day”. The members of the Mahila Sangh accompanied the youth from the gate to the Church. Rev. Fr. Ranjit Kindo, SJ, the parish youth coordinator was the main celebrant of the Eucharistic celebration. After the Holy Mass, Rev. Fr. Anselem Dungdung, SJ, led an input session on the theme “How to Develop the Hidden Talents in You”. After the input session the youth elected the new office holders.

The Girl Child's Day: St. Xavier’s Parish on 8^th September, 2011, organized a liturgical programme to celebrate the Girl Child Day. The parents accompanied their daughters in to the church. St. Anne’s Sisters took lead in arranging the liturgy along with Mahila Sangh. After the Holy Mass, members of the Mahila Sangh arranged light refreshments for the girls and for their brothers too.

Maluka

A two day seminar for the mothers of St. Paul’s Parish, Maluka, was organised on 17^th & 18^th September, 2011. The theme of the seminar was “Towards the Fullness of Life: The Contribution of Women in the Family and in the Church”. The theme was very much in connection with Jubilee Theme of the Diocese. Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Horo, Mr. Paulus Bodara and Mrs. Salomi Bodra were the resource persons. The response to the seminar was great, women from far away villages too were present for the seminar. After the seminar, on 18^th, the children from the hostel staged a short cultural programme to convey their love and respect towards the mothers. The mothers dispersed to their homes after having the lunch. Fr. Junas Purty and Sr. Naveen, BS deserves much appreciation for their heard work, which made the programme a successful one.

Adra

On 11^th September, the Mahila Sangh of Purilia Deanery came together for a meeting at Adra. They spend the day at St. Vincent’s Ashram. The input sessions were dealt by Frs. John Otto and Sahay. All the participants enjoyed the sessions and were happy to interact with inmates of St. Vincent’s Ashram.

On 25^th St. Vincent De Paul Society Unit, Adra, celebrated their Feast. The celebration began with Mass. The members of the St. Vincent De Paul Society came to St. Vincent’s Ashram, and conducted some programmes for the inmates. They also shared the festal meal with the inmates.

Golden Jubilee

On 18^th September, 2011, Sr. Thomasina, SCJM, celebrated her Golden Jubilee of Religious Profession. The celebration began with the concelebrated Holy Eucharist, in which Rev. Fr. C.R. Prabhu was the main celebrant. Fr. Prabhu during his homily remembered how he met Sr. Thomasina in Bangalore and of having coffee in a park. He then continued to explain how Sister helped him at Catholic Charities. For a long period of time Sr. Thomasina worked for Catholic Charities and after a gap she has come back to Catholic Charities to render her service. Her brother from Kerala and sister from Delhi too were present for the function. The celebration came to an end with a delicious meal. Congratulations Dear Sr. Thomasina !

Spiritual Renewal

Diocesan  Recollection

In his Encyclical, ‘Evangelica Testificatio’ Pope Paul VI regarding the spiritual renewal writes: “How could you fail to desire to know better Him whom you love and whom you wish to make manifest to men? It is prayer that unites you to Him. If you have lost the taste for prayer, you will regain the desire for it by returning humbly to its practice. Do not forget, moreover, the witness of history: faithfulness to prayer or its abandonment are the test of the vitality or decadence of the religious life.” Following the urge to be united with the Master, many of our priests are spending enough time in retreats in various places. Frs. James Quadros, Benedict Minj, Leo D’Souza, Eugene Ekka and Vernon D’Souza are just back from Navasadana, Varanasi, after attending a retreat. Many of the fathers have already registered their names for the forthcoming retreats. Earlier on 13^th & 14^th September more than 40 Priests, including some of the religious priests, came together for a recollection at Upasana, Mango, which was directed by Rev. Fr. Michael T. Raj. All those who participated benefited from it and appreciated the session.

St. Joseph’s Community College - Mango

The 3^rd batch of Community College has shifted from Welfare Centre - Golmuri to Mango since the 1^st September. Regular classes are being conducted as usual; the place is beautiful, quiet and conducive for the students in their studies. We also started the Conversational English course on the same day, there are 23 students and the classes are from 5.30p.m. - 7 p.m.

There was a meeting of all the Directors and Principals of Community Colleges from the states of Jharkhand, Orissa, MP, Bihar, UP, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Uttrakhand, on 17^th & 18^th of September, at Ranchi. Along with Director and Principal of St. Joseph’s Community College, one of the staffs and 8 students too had gone for the same. Fr. Michael Raj who was the President of All Jharkhand Community Colleges Forum has been elected as the President of North Central India Community Colleges Consortium. Congratulations to him! The Ranchi University Pro Vice Chancellor who was present for the meeting has promised to take up the interests of the Community Colleges and help us get affiliated to Ranchi University. Good luck for Community Colleges!

DSWC Dhanbad

A one day workshop on the theme “Revisiting the Vision and Mission of DSWC” was organized at Nirmala Hospital, Govindpur, on 23^rd August, 2011. Fr. Chrsto Das, the Director of Regional Forum of Social Work in Jharkhand and Ms. Rajshree, the Regional (Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal) Director of CRS guided the workshop. The session was an eye opener for many as they came to know about DSWC. Along with present Director, Assistant Director, Sisters and Staff of DSWC, Rev. Fr. Vijay Bhatt, the formar Director too participated in the workshop.

Nirmala Middle School Girls baged first prizes in various programmes which were organised by the Nagarik Samity, Govindpur, on the occasion of the Independence Day Celebration, on 15^th August. Earlier, on 11^th the School bagged the second prize for the quiz competition, which was organised by the Vikas Forum.

Dr. Ruma Prasad, Gynaecologist, started to offer her service at Nirmala Hospital, from the first week of September. This would be a great benefit for many. (Fr. Ajay Tiru)

St. Xavier’s School, Taldanga

The month of September was full of excitement, hard-work and of responsibility. The students’ zeal was at its peak on Teachers’ Day. This year the Teachers’ Day was celebrated on 3^rd September for the junior school and on the 5^th September for the senior school. Apart from songs and dances they put up a few skits with good messages. The reading on Mother Teresa’s life & work was very moving.

Earlier, on 27^th August, 90 Loyolians had gone to St. Xavier’s, Purulia, to participate in the inter school contest on Patriotic Song and Dance. The performance of the Loyolians was good. They bagged two first prizes, three second prizes and one third prize in different competitions.

Shahnawaz Ansari of class XII, Science, brought much honour by winning the 2^nd prize in High Jump & 3^rd Prize in Tripple Jump, in the 15^th ASISC Jharkhand & Bihar Regional Athletic Meet 2011which was held at CMRI, Dhanbad, on 16^th & 17^th September.

Bro. Michael Deogam from St. Albert’s College, Ranchi, writes:

Greetings! We are all keeping well. … Now, I would like to share with you the news from St. Albert's Seminary. August 31, was a day of great joy for the Albertine Family as we celebrated ‘Seminary Day’. The day began with the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Rev. Fr. Xavier Soreng, SJ, Provincial of Ranchi Jesuit Province. Fr. Joseph Prasad Pinto, the Rector of St. Albert's College in his introduction acknowledged the important role played by the Jesuits in Chotanagpur. In the afternoon we enjoyed the ‘Traditional Football Match’ between the Philosophers V/s the Theologians. The philosophers won by 4-3. In the evening, religious men and women of Ranchi were invited for a short but beautiful cultural programme.  The skit, "Changes in Jharkhand", by the 1st year Theologians and 'Fusion Dance' by the Philosophers were impressive.

"God is love and he loves you and me.  Let us love others as he loves us", Mother Teresa had said. On September 5, the Brothers form West Bengal region celebrated the memory of Blessed Mother Teresa.

"O Karam, it is in your guise that Dharmes saved the Kurukh ancestors, and so our ancestors kept the Karma festival in order to honour you and kept honouring you to this day.   So also we, too, have come to take you to our courtyard."  Recalling this prayer, we, along with the Cathedral parishioners, celebrated the Karam festival on September 8.

In  hounour of our guests from Church-in-Need, Germany, we had a short felicitation programme on September 12. They visited many places of Jharkhand and went back carrying sweet memories along with them…Please convey our greetings to all...

From JDV Pune, Fr. Raju Felix Crasta writes:

Greetings! … September Month began with a positive note, with a scholarly philosophical staff-student seminar by Professor Chad Bouman, Ph.D., from Buttler University, on the topic, “Theorizing Religion and Culture with Clifford Geertz and Andrew Walls: Organic Indigenization and the Satnami Christians of Chattisgarh”. It was mind blowing in true sense. Another important aspect I could notice in this month is the upholding of diversity of cultures in JDV. It all began with the Onam celebrations in all the houses in various capacities. We, the PG students celebrated it on 10th of September. JDV Konkani association celebrated the Nativity of Our Lady, “Monthi Fest” on 9th of September where I was the Main celebrant at the Concelebrated Eucharist. The JDV day was celebrated on 23rd of September with a solemn Syro-Malabar Eucharist in the morning and fabulous Cultural extravaganza in the evening. The theme chosen this year was, “Sounds Synchronized to Symphony.” The Jamshedpur Scholastics too were on the stage… From the part of PG students, I was involved in the ‘Chorus’ which we sang in four different languages including Malaysian and Hebrew apart from Malayalam and Hindi. … Towards the end of the month, Fr. Donald D’Silva, SJ, of Jamshedpur Province was here for a couple of weeks to impart his communicative skills to the MPh Students.

News From Divya Bharati, Chaibasa

A Training Programme on “Power Evangelization and Prayer” was organized from 5^th to 8^th September at Divya Bharati, in which 29 people participated. And on the 24^th and 25^th of September, we had 70 Women from different Parishes of Kolhan-Porahat for a 2 day Residential Seminar on “Spirit-filled Leadership”, conducted by Fr. Edwin Coelho, Dean of Chaibasa Deanery and Dr. Mukti, OSU, Mahila Sangh Coordinator for the Chaibasa Deanery. Fr. Edwin Coelho, in his inaugural address, put the Seminar in perspective in line with our Jamshedpur Diocese Golden Jubilee Preparation. Six Pastoral sisters also attended the Programme and showed their support with the Catholic Mothers. Sr. Basanti Besra, SCN, enlightened the Catholic Mothers on the need for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Inequality in the Patriarchal Society and the need for Liberation from all kind of Oppression.

At the invitation of Fr. Richard Miranda, Parish Priest, Christ the King Church, Chakradharpur, I conducted a Three Day Small Christian Community Training Programme for Laity in which around 50 participants from the urban side of the Parish attended. It was well supported by the large number of Ursuline Sisters who attended from both the convents. I wish many more women religious will continue to support our Parish Priests in their pastoral venture with the Laity in our Diocese. In case, anybody requires our help for SCC and Laity Training Programme, our Pastoral Centre Team will be most happy to help out with advance arrangements. (Fr. George Anthony, SJ)